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Wed, Dec 28th @ 8:00 am - Fri, Dec 30, 2022 @ 9:00 pm
Toronto Spectacular
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Details
The NAGF is organizing the Toronto Go spectacular, including the first ever North American Professional championships, a new North American youth championships, and two open tournaments. This will take place at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto.
Players from around the world are welcome to participate in the open tournaments.
日本語のトーナメント情報はこちら
点击此处查看中文介绍
Open Tournament (Thursday December 29th & Friday December 30th) (all levels)
Who can play:
A 6 round tournament, run in Swiss-McMahon style. Good cash prizes in the top division (first prize is targeted between1000-1500 CAD), and should be finalized before the late registration date. Trophies and other awards for all levels.
Applicants for the youth invitation event can wait until they know if they are accepted for the youth event to register for the open tournament. They will be given special late access to the early bird rate if they are not accepted for the youth invitational.
To participate in this event those residing in the USA (unless they are Canadian citizens) are expected to be current AGA members. Canadian residents should register with the CGA (a free operation, which will assign you a CGA ID). Thus when registering all North American residents should be able to supply at least one of AGA or CGA ID. If you have a registration with both associations please provide both.
Our plans are to submit all games involving two AGA members to the AGA ratings, and all games involving two CGA members to the CGA ratings.
Adult players 10K-25K can consider their preferred choice between the novice tournament and open tournament. A potential downside to the open tournament is you may wind up with some large handicap games. The novice tournament will give you the opportunity to compete against many players near your level, and also is less of a time commitment. However you should anticipate playing many/most of your games against 6-12 year old children if you choose to compete in the novice event.
Novice Tournament (Friday December 30th) (Beginner to 10 kyu)
Who can play:
We want to give our young players the chance to see North America's top professional and youth players in action. To that end we are holding this novice tournament as part of the event. We expect this event to be mostly children, but adult novices are also welcome to participate. This will be 5 rounds, and issue Canadian Go Association children's rank certificates. Because of this it will follow CGA rules for handicap and ranking certificate awards.
NA Pro Championship (Wednesday December 28th - Friday December 30th) (Invitational)
Who can play: Invited professional players only
The very first professional championships for our North American professionals! We will be welcoming professionals certified by the NAGF, as well as Asian certified professionals long established in North America.
A large prize pool has been allocated. Something like the following, although the amounts may be distributed a bit differently as we design a tournament format around the professionals who register. We will guarantee the top prize will not be smaller than 6000 USD.
Who can play: See the "Who can play" sections of the individual U16/U12 events below
North American players have long had one premium youth event; the Redmond cup. And the Redmond cup will continue to be a key competition for NA youth players. But offering more opportunities to compete for our top players (youth or professional) is a critical part of the mandate of the NAGF. We think North American can support another premium youth event, and to that end we are adding the North American youth championships.
All participants will receive a travel/accommodation subsidy of 250 USD. The winner will receive the right to call themselves "North American U16/U12 youth champion". In addition there will be gifts for all participants, and trophies for those who placed well.
Citizenship in Canada or the USA is not required to compete in these events, only permanent resident status.
U16 Championship
Who can play:
8 players will be accepted to compete. Players 1K+ in level are encouraged to submit an application, although we expect the accepted players will be much higher level than this. To apply order a ticket for the U16 event through this site. The organizers may organize playoffs if they deem it necessary to evaluate which applications are appropriate to award the right to compete.
We will also accept 2 alternates (ordered as first alternate and second alternate). These alternate spots don't come with a travel subsidy. Alternates should be prepared to participate in the open tournament if all 8 selected participants show up at the tournament. But with the potential for Covid complications in travel these days alternates will have a shot at joining the event.
U12 Championship
Who can play:
8 players will be accepted to compete. Players 5K+ in level are encouraged to submit an application, although we expect the accepted players will be much higher level than this. To apply order a ticket for the U12 event through this site. The organizers may organize playoffs if they deem it necessary to evaluate which applications are appropriate to award the right to compete.
We will also accept 2 alternates (ordered as first alternate and second alternate). These alternate spots don't come with a travel subsidy. Alternates should be prepared to participate in the open tournament if all 8 selected participants show up at the tournament. But with the potential for Covid complications in travel these days alternates will have a shot at joining the event.
Accommodations
There is one hotel within easy walking distance of the venue, the Don Valley Hotel & Suites . The promo code will apply at the link provided here. Since the pandemic they no longer offer block bookings; instead they offer a PROMO code for the event, which grants us 10% off whatever the current rate is. They have 354 rooms in total, so it is unlikely our event will cause them to sell out, but we may book enough rooms that prices rise. In general the price can be expected to be better the sooner you book, and it might rise significantly. Also since cancellation is free you can always book a lower rate later if it becomes available.
PROMO code : SMERF
PROMO code can be applied until 7 days before your chosen arrival date
Parking : 11.95 CAD/day
At times I have seen a better rate on other websites, even taking into account the 10% discount from our discount code. On September 20th reservations.com has a good rate. I suggest checking around on a few websites before booking.
Finally, we've been told that a significantly better rate was offered with a direct phone call to the hotel. So we suggest checking the assorted online options, and then finish with a call to the hotel so you can compare.
Roommates : Many players will find their own with friends or family. But if you email us that you are looking to share we're happy to coordinate connecting you with other people that have made a similar request. Just email torontogospectacular@gmail.com with details of what you are looking for.
Those who have a car and are in a group may find something cheaper nearby with an Airbnb type option, you are of course welcome to do so.
Volunteer
This is a large event, with a lot of moving pieces. We will need help in many areas. Some areas where you can contribute:
Registration
Registration fees are waived for the Pro Championship and North American youth championships.
See below registration fees for the Open Tournament and Novice Tournament.
Open Tournament:
We will offer a full refund before December 1st without question (except for the Eventbrite fees, which are non-refundable). After December 1st we will ask for an explanation, and allow it with a reasonable justification (something more than "I've decided I no longer wish to attend").
Broadcasting
We do expect this event to be extensively covered (primarily the invitational events), on venues like the AGA twitch & Youtube Channels. More details will be provided here closer to the event.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact TorontoGoSpectacular@gmail.com. You may also phone 416-486-8048 if discussing verbally would be easier.
日本語のトーナメント情報はこちら
点击此处查看中文介绍
Open Tournament (Thursday December 29th & Friday December 30th) (all levels)
Who can play:
- Open to all players, at all levels. The only restriction is you cannot participate in any other tournament (game times will conflict).
- We recommend children 25K-10K choose the novice tournament instead
A 6 round tournament, run in Swiss-McMahon style. Good cash prizes in the top division (first prize is targeted between1000-1500 CAD), and should be finalized before the late registration date. Trophies and other awards for all levels.
Applicants for the youth invitation event can wait until they know if they are accepted for the youth event to register for the open tournament. They will be given special late access to the early bird rate if they are not accepted for the youth invitational.
To participate in this event those residing in the USA (unless they are Canadian citizens) are expected to be current AGA members. Canadian residents should register with the CGA (a free operation, which will assign you a CGA ID). Thus when registering all North American residents should be able to supply at least one of AGA or CGA ID. If you have a registration with both associations please provide both.
Our plans are to submit all games involving two AGA members to the AGA ratings, and all games involving two CGA members to the CGA ratings.
Adult players 10K-25K can consider their preferred choice between the novice tournament and open tournament. A potential downside to the open tournament is you may wind up with some large handicap games. The novice tournament will give you the opportunity to compete against many players near your level, and also is less of a time commitment. However you should anticipate playing many/most of your games against 6-12 year old children if you choose to compete in the novice event.
Novice Tournament (Friday December 30th) (Beginner to 10 kyu)
Who can play:
- Anyone Beginner-10K
- Adults or older youth at this playing level can choose between this and the open tournament
We want to give our young players the chance to see North America's top professional and youth players in action. To that end we are holding this novice tournament as part of the event. We expect this event to be mostly children, but adult novices are also welcome to participate. This will be 5 rounds, and issue Canadian Go Association children's rank certificates. Because of this it will follow CGA rules for handicap and ranking certificate awards.
NA Pro Championship (Wednesday December 28th - Friday December 30th) (Invitational)
Who can play: Invited professional players only
The very first professional championships for our North American professionals! We will be welcoming professionals certified by the NAGF, as well as Asian certified professionals long established in North America.
A large prize pool has been allocated. Something like the following, although the amounts may be distributed a bit differently as we design a tournament format around the professionals who register. We will guarantee the top prize will not be smaller than 6000 USD.
- Champion: $6,000
- Runner-up: $3,000
- Semi-final: $1,000 * 2
- Quarter-final: $500 * 4
- Top 16: $250 * 8
Who can play: See the "Who can play" sections of the individual U16/U12 events below
North American players have long had one premium youth event; the Redmond cup. And the Redmond cup will continue to be a key competition for NA youth players. But offering more opportunities to compete for our top players (youth or professional) is a critical part of the mandate of the NAGF. We think North American can support another premium youth event, and to that end we are adding the North American youth championships.
All participants will receive a travel/accommodation subsidy of 250 USD. The winner will receive the right to call themselves "North American U16/U12 youth champion". In addition there will be gifts for all participants, and trophies for those who placed well.
Citizenship in Canada or the USA is not required to compete in these events, only permanent resident status.
U16 Championship
Who can play:
- Born on or after January 1st, 2007
- 1K-7D in level can apply
- Apply for this event by registering. Until applicants find out if they are accepted they should not register for the open tournament. If they are not accepted they will be given the discounted rate for the open tournament at that time.
- Need to be a permanent resident or citizen in North America
- Application deadline of October 31st
8 players will be accepted to compete. Players 1K+ in level are encouraged to submit an application, although we expect the accepted players will be much higher level than this. To apply order a ticket for the U16 event through this site. The organizers may organize playoffs if they deem it necessary to evaluate which applications are appropriate to award the right to compete.
We will also accept 2 alternates (ordered as first alternate and second alternate). These alternate spots don't come with a travel subsidy. Alternates should be prepared to participate in the open tournament if all 8 selected participants show up at the tournament. But with the potential for Covid complications in travel these days alternates will have a shot at joining the event.
U12 Championship
Who can play:
- Born on or after January 1st, 2011
- 5K-7D in level can apply
- Apply for this event by registering. Until applicants find out if they are accepted they should not register for the open tournament. If they are not accepted they will be given the discounted rate for the open tournament at that time.
- Need to be a permanent resident or citizen in North America
- Application deadline of October 31st
8 players will be accepted to compete. Players 5K+ in level are encouraged to submit an application, although we expect the accepted players will be much higher level than this. To apply order a ticket for the U12 event through this site. The organizers may organize playoffs if they deem it necessary to evaluate which applications are appropriate to award the right to compete.
We will also accept 2 alternates (ordered as first alternate and second alternate). These alternate spots don't come with a travel subsidy. Alternates should be prepared to participate in the open tournament if all 8 selected participants show up at the tournament. But with the potential for Covid complications in travel these days alternates will have a shot at joining the event.
Accommodations
There is one hotel within easy walking distance of the venue, the Don Valley Hotel & Suites . The promo code will apply at the link provided here. Since the pandemic they no longer offer block bookings; instead they offer a PROMO code for the event, which grants us 10% off whatever the current rate is. They have 354 rooms in total, so it is unlikely our event will cause them to sell out, but we may book enough rooms that prices rise. In general the price can be expected to be better the sooner you book, and it might rise significantly. Also since cancellation is free you can always book a lower rate later if it becomes available.
PROMO code : SMERF
PROMO code can be applied until 7 days before your chosen arrival date
Parking : 11.95 CAD/day
At times I have seen a better rate on other websites, even taking into account the 10% discount from our discount code. On September 20th reservations.com has a good rate. I suggest checking around on a few websites before booking.
Finally, we've been told that a significantly better rate was offered with a direct phone call to the hotel. So we suggest checking the assorted online options, and then finish with a call to the hotel so you can compare.
Roommates : Many players will find their own with friends or family. But if you email us that you are looking to share we're happy to coordinate connecting you with other people that have made a similar request. Just email torontogospectacular@gmail.com with details of what you are looking for.
Those who have a car and are in a group may find something cheaper nearby with an Airbnb type option, you are of course welcome to do so.
Volunteer
This is a large event, with a lot of moving pieces. We will need help in many areas. Some areas where you can contribute:
- Game recorder (on site)
- Game recorder (remote, transcribe the game from a camera feed)
- Tournament volunteer (novice event especially, with and without go skill can help)
- Equipment management
- Registration
- Host a Go player from out of town. Some may be on tight budgets, and greatly appreciate the help.
Registration
Registration fees are waived for the Pro Championship and North American youth championships.
See below registration fees for the Open Tournament and Novice Tournament.
Open Tournament:
- Regular (before December 1st) $60.00 CAD
- Late (before December 27th) $80.00 CAD
- Regular (before December 1st) $30.00 CAD
- Late (before December 27th) $40.00 CAD
We will offer a full refund before December 1st without question (except for the Eventbrite fees, which are non-refundable). After December 1st we will ask for an explanation, and allow it with a reasonable justification (something more than "I've decided I no longer wish to attend").
Broadcasting
We do expect this event to be extensively covered (primarily the invitational events), on venues like the AGA twitch & Youtube Channels. More details will be provided here closer to the event.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact TorontoGoSpectacular@gmail.com. You may also phone 416-486-8048 if discussing verbally would be easier.
Players
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went
interested
event website
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-go-spectacular-registration-404707841047
Organizer
James Sedgwick
contact the organizer
